Prayer In Private

The earliest churches were often small and very simple in design. This 6th-century building in Ireland is an oratory, a place where someone can pray in private rather than a church for a large congregation. It has sloping stone walls, a single door, and no windows.

The WORD CHURCH means a community of Christian believers, but it is also used to refer to a building in which Christians worship. Churches vary widely, but most have a large main space -often called the nave - for the congregation. Many churches also have a chancel or sanctuary, which houses the altar (p. 52); side chapels, used for private prayer; a vestry, where the priest prepares for services; and a space in which baptisms take place.